Justin Trudeau makes final dig at Donald Trump during last speech as Prime Minister of Canada
Topics: Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, News, World News
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Topics: Justin Trudeau, Donald Trump, News, World News
Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got reflective on what the future of Canada could be like as he made his final speech.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attempted to hold back tears as he gave an emotional farewell speech at the conference of his Liberal Party on Sunday (March 9).
Trudeau resigned on January 6 of this year after months of domestic issues that made him widely unpopular.
However, before leaving office officially, he did announce that Canada would be implementing 25 percent tariffs on $155 billion of American goods.
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This was in response to similar tariffs the US had put on the nation.
As the trade war between the two allies continues, Trudeau made reference to the difficulties that may lay ahead for Canada and how he has been proud to see how the people of the country have responded.
He said: “Now these past years, these past 10 years, have been challenging, crisis after crisis has been thrown at Canadians. But through every crisis, Canadians have shown who they are. We’ve pulled together.
“We’ve stood up for each other. And every single time, we’ve emerged even stronger. And now, as Canadians face — from our neighbor — an existential challenge, an economic crisis, Canadians are showing exactly what we are made of!”
He continued: “Canadians are showing what it is that makes us Canadians, not by defining ourselves by who we’re not, but by proudly embracing who we are... And we’re a country that will be diplomatic when we can, but fight when we must, elbows up.”
Trudeau’s replacement, Mark Carney, the former head of UK and central banks, also spoke on Sunday and wasted no time taking aim at Donald Trump.
Carney’s speech made it clear that Canada has no desire to become America’s 51st state, regardless of what Republican politicians and supporters have said over the past months.
He said: “America is not Canada. And Canada never, ever, will be part of America in any way, shape or form.
"We didn’t ask for this fight, but Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves. The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country.
"Think about it. If they succeed, they will destroy our way of life.
"I know these are dark days. Dark days brought on by a country we can no longer trust.
"We're getting over the shock, but let us never forget the lessons: we have to look after ourselves and we have to look out for each other. We need to pull together in the tough days ahead."